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The return of the animated X-Men in Season 2 of Disney+’s X-Men ’97 has fans speculating about the show’s potential direction. Among the most intriguing questions is whether the series will delve into Moira MacTaggert’s reincarnation powers, a game-changing revelation introduced in the comics during Jonathan Hickman’s House of X and Powers of X comic book run. Given the character’s demise in Season 1 of X-Men ’97, Season 2 has the perfect opportunity to explore Moira’s reincarnation powers.
For those who haven’t read the comics, Moira MacTaggert was portrayed as a brilliant geneticist and a long-time ally of Charles Xavier, and her role focused primarily on her scientific contributions in mutant research, including the development of a mutant research facility on Muir Island. Her relationship with Xavier and her occasional involvement in the X-Men’s battles added more depth to her character, and that is how she was portrayed in 1992’s X-Men: The Animated Series. However, those depictions were based on her pre-Hickman comic book iteration, where she was a human ally to mutants.
That all changed with the release of House of X and Power of X, which redefined Moira MacTaggert’s character by giving her mutant powers: reincarnation and the ability to reset her own timeline. Moira’s powers allow her to restart her life from birth each time she dies and retain all memories of her previous lives. By revealing Moira to be a mutant, she’s transformed from being a peripheral character into one of the key people who have shaped mutant history and played a pivotal role in establishing the mutant nation of Krakoa.
Now, the exact mechanics behind Moira’s powers are incredibly complex. Every time she dies, the universe around her is basically destroyed; her consciousness with perfect recall is sent back to the stage of fetal development, and she’s conscious the entire time she’s gestating in utero — and remembers all of her previous lives. She’s then born to the exact same parents every time since her consciousness can’t go back to a point before she existed. When these powers were introduced in the Power of X, it was revealed that she had actually lived nine lifetimes already.
She became one of the foremost researchers in mutant genetics during her third life, where she also learned that she would live only 10, perhaps 11, lives and that she wouldn’t reincarnate if she died before her powers manifested at the age of 13. This means that her portrayal in TAS could potentially be retconned to represent one of her lives after her third reincarnation — which ended with her being burned alive by Pyro and Destiny. All of this brings us to the current events of the X-Men ’97 series: Moira dies off-screen in Episode 5, titled “Remember It,” in a barrage of explosions.
Given how her powers work, reintroducing the character and her reincarnation powers following Moira’s death in X-Men ’97 isn’t without its challenges — most of which are related to series storytelling. Both 1992’s TAS and the new X-Men ’97 thrive on episodic storytelling with overarching narratives and themes; each of these stories is contained within one or two episodes, rarely three, as was the case with the Season 1 finale, “Tolerance Is Extinction,” which is a three-part story.
But each of these serves the overarching narrative. Moira’s reincarnation, on the other hand, is very complex and lends itself to serialized, layered narratives rather than episodic storytelling, so showrunners and writers would have to find a way to fit her backstory into the show’s already established tone and pacing. As we’ve seen in Season 1, Moira died, but the narrative hasn’t reverted to the beginning or to the period of her birth; instead, the story continued and concluded with the X-Men trapped in time and Apocalypse rummaging through the remnants of Genosha.
But Moira’s power resets the timeline back to the moment when she gained consciousness in utero without branching out or creating new timelines. This means that the timeline would follow its established chronology unless someone, somewhere, became or introduced a radical element that would change the course of history/the future. So, even with the timeline reset, the series can still resume its flow as if nothing had happened. However, this means that, while the current version of Moira died in an explosion, some other version of Moira took her place.
Her death in Episode 5 practically never happened because the time was reset, and given that she now knows how her life would end, she can prevent that from happening. From the perspective of the viewer, her re-introduction could be confusing, but to comic book fans, it could make perfect sense. Now, given that she died but now lives due to a timeline reset, Season 2 could introduce two or even three different versions of Moira.
One version could join Magneto after realizing that her and Charles’ dream of mutant and human coexistence is nothing but a dream; another version could be her replacement (clone) made through Shi’ar golem technology; or the third version, a villainous fully-merged human-machine hybrid, whose sole desire is the destruction of mutant-kind. Whatever the case may be, Moira’s role could shift from a supportive ally to a central figure whose choices shape mutant kind’s destiny.
The question is whether the series will embrace this game-changing aspect of her character and how it might redefine the team’s mission.
The post Will ‘X-Men ’97’ Explore Moira MacTaggert’s Reincarnation Power? appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
The return of the animated X-Men in Season 2 of Disney+’s X-Men ’97 has fans speculating about the show’s potential direction. Among the most intriguing questions is whether the series will delve into Moira MacTaggert’s reincarnation powers, a game-changing revelation introduced in the comics during Jonathan Hickman’s House of X and Powers of X comic book run. Given the character’s demise in Season 1 of X-Men ’97, Season 2 has the perfect opportunity to explore Moira’s reincarnation powers.
For those who haven’t read the comics, Moira MacTaggert was portrayed as a brilliant geneticist and a long-time ally of Charles Xavier, and her role focused primarily on her scientific contributions in mutant research, including the development of a mutant research facility on Muir Island. Her relationship with Xavier and her occasional involvement in the X-Men’s battles added more depth to her character, and that is how she was portrayed in 1992’s X-Men: The Animated Series. However, those depictions were based on her pre-Hickman comic book iteration, where she was a human ally to mutants.
That all changed with the release of House of X and Power of X, which redefined Moira MacTaggert’s character by giving her mutant powers: reincarnation and the ability to reset her own timeline. Moira’s powers allow her to restart her life from birth each time she dies and retain all memories of her previous lives. By revealing Moira to be a mutant, she’s transformed from being a peripheral character into one of the key people who have shaped mutant history and played a pivotal role in establishing the mutant nation of Krakoa.
Now, the exact mechanics behind Moira’s powers are incredibly complex. Every time she dies, the universe around her is basically destroyed; her consciousness with perfect recall is sent back to the stage of fetal development, and she’s conscious the entire time she’s gestating in utero — and remembers all of her previous lives. She’s then born to the exact same parents every time since her consciousness can’t go back to a point before she existed. When these powers were introduced in the Power of X, it was revealed that she had actually lived nine lifetimes already.
She became one of the foremost researchers in mutant genetics during her third life, where she also learned that she would live only 10, perhaps 11, lives and that she wouldn’t reincarnate if she died before her powers manifested at the age of 13. This means that her portrayal in TAS could potentially be retconned to represent one of her lives after her third reincarnation — which ended with her being burned alive by Pyro and Destiny. All of this brings us to the current events of the X-Men ’97 series: Moira dies off-screen in Episode 5, titled “Remember It,” in a barrage of explosions.
Given how her powers work, reintroducing the character and her reincarnation powers following Moira’s death in X-Men ’97 isn’t without its challenges — most of which are related to series storytelling. Both 1992’s TAS and the new X-Men ’97 thrive on episodic storytelling with overarching narratives and themes; each of these stories is contained within one or two episodes, rarely three, as was the case with the Season 1 finale, “Tolerance Is Extinction,” which is a three-part story.
But each of these serves the overarching narrative. Moira’s reincarnation, on the other hand, is very complex and lends itself to serialized, layered narratives rather than episodic storytelling, so showrunners and writers would have to find a way to fit her backstory into the show’s already established tone and pacing. As we’ve seen in Season 1, Moira died, but the narrative hasn’t reverted to the beginning or to the period of her birth; instead, the story continued and concluded with the X-Men trapped in time and Apocalypse rummaging through the remnants of Genosha.
But Moira’s power resets the timeline back to the moment when she gained consciousness in utero without branching out or creating new timelines. This means that the timeline would follow its established chronology unless someone, somewhere, became or introduced a radical element that would change the course of history/the future. So, even with the timeline reset, the series can still resume its flow as if nothing had happened. However, this means that, while the current version of Moira died in an explosion, some other version of Moira took her place.
Her death in Episode 5 practically never happened because the time was reset, and given that she now knows how her life would end, she can prevent that from happening. From the perspective of the viewer, her re-introduction could be confusing, but to comic book fans, it could make perfect sense. Now, given that she died but now lives due to a timeline reset, Season 2 could introduce two or even three different versions of Moira.
One version could join Magneto after realizing that her and Charles’ dream of mutant and human coexistence is nothing but a dream; another version could be her replacement (clone) made through Shi’ar golem technology; or the third version, a villainous fully-merged human-machine hybrid, whose sole desire is the destruction of mutant-kind. Whatever the case may be, Moira’s role could shift from a supportive ally to a central figure whose choices shape mutant kind’s destiny.
The question is whether the series will embrace this game-changing aspect of her character and how it might redefine the team’s mission.
The post Will ‘X-Men ’97’ Explore Moira MacTaggert’s Reincarnation Power? appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
The Last of Us ended its first season on HBO with Joel and Ellie returning to the commune in Colorado. Sure, Joel might have doomed all mankind to save one young girl, but at least they have a place nice to live. For now. Fans of Naughty Dog’s popular video game franchise know new terrors and sadness await the pair in the years to come, and we’ll see all of it come to life when the hit series begins adapting the sequel game in its second season, which will premiere April 13, 2025. What else can we expect from the show after a lengthy wait?
Check out some fresh images for The Last of Us season two:
Here’s everything we know about The Last of Us‘ second season so far.
The Last of Us Season 2 Plot
HBO has not yet shared an official synopsis for The Last of Us season two. We still have some idea what to expect. The franchise’s second video game will provide the source material for the TV series. Showrunner Craig Mazin has said the show will take more than one season to adapt the sequel game, but like with the television series’ first season they are not making a direct adaptation. Fans will once again see some major changes alongside some major moments and stories taken directly from the game. That might very well include a huge—though temporary—change for one character. (We won’t risk spoiling it for those who don’t know what that means.)
A recent trailer teasing upcoming Max releases in 2025 spotlighted The Last of Us season two. You can check out what this trailer chose to highlight at the 1:43 mark and then watch the full second season teaser below.
One thing that won’t change is the importance of The Last of Us Part II‘s Abby Anderson. She will debut during the second season and play a significant role in Ellie’s story. And like the video game sequel, the HBO series will also feature a time jump.
New footage from season two promises that it will definitely be explosive. Joel is tearful and Ellie is going through some sort of horrific challenges of her own. We also get a look at Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Wright in their new roles. It is not totally clear who Catherine is playing, but Jeffrey is reprising his role as the game character Isaac. According to Entertainment Weekly, he is “the quietly powerful leader of a large militia group who sought liberty but instead has become mired in an endless war against a surprisingly resourceful enemy.”
These new images also have us super hype.
Behind the Scenes
The Last of Us‘ second season was in pre-production before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes put the show on hold. The first episode had already been written at the time. With both unions finally getting fair deals, the show is now expected to begin filming in Vancouver in early 2024.
Co-creators, writers, and executive producers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are back for season two. Writers Halley Gross (The Last of Us Part II) and Bo Shim worked with Mazin and Druckmann on season two. Deadline additionally reports that The Last of Us season two has set its slate of directors, both new and old. These include four new directors: Succession‘s Mark Mylod, Perry Mason‘s Nina Lopez-Corrado, Watchmen‘s Stephen Williams, and Loki‘s Kate Herron. They join returning director Peter Hoar, who directed the incredible season one episode “Long, Long Time,” and the show’s creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann.
The series comes from Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Word Games, and Naughty Dog.
The Last of Us Season 2’s Cast
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey will return as Joel and Ellie. Also expected back is Gabriel Luna. He plays Joel’s younger brother, Tommy. As is Rutina Wesley. She plays Tommy’s wife Maria.
Regarding new casting news, The Last of Us season two has cast Kaitlyn Dever as Abby. Abby is an important character from The Last of Us Part II game. Additionally, Isabela Merced has joined the season as Dina, who also hails from the second The Last of Us game. Dina is described as “a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Ellie will be tested by the brutality of the world they inhabit.”
Most recently, Isabela Merced, who will play Dina on The Last of Us season two, shared, “I’m so excited for people to see my chemistry with Bella. Bella and I have so much chemistry. From the first day, it was there. There’s no work to be done. I really respect Bella. I just saw Catherine Called Birdy, and Bella has such range and just an honesty about their work. I’m learning so much. I’m very honored to be here.”
We’re glad to hear it because we can’t wait to see Dina and Ellie’s complicated romance come to life. Currently, The Last of Us season two describes Dina as “a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Ellie will be tested by the brutality of the world they inhabit.”
The Last of Us season two has also cast Beef‘s Young Mazino as Jess. Jess is described, per Variety, as “a pillar of his community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at a terrible cost.” That sounds ominous. Generally speaking, from Jess’s role in The Last of Us Part II, we can assume he and Ellie will build a friendship.
Finally Danny Ramirez, Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle, and Spencer Lord have all come aboard the second season of The Last of US, they will all feature as characters from The Last of Us Part II.
Variety reveals:
Ramirez will play Manny, described as “a loyal soldier whose sunny outlook belies the pain of old wounds and a fear that he will fail his friends when they need him most.” Barer will play Mel, said to be “a young doctor whose commitment to saving lives is challenged by the realities of war and tribalism.”
Gabrielle has been cast as Nora, “a military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past.” And Lord will appear as Owen, “a gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate.”
The Last of Us Season 2’s Release Date
The Last of Us‘ second season will premiere April 13, 2025. This reported in mid February via Variety.
Originally published on December 29, 2023.
The post THE LAST OF US Season 2 Premiere Date Revealed appeared first on Nerdist.
This is it. The conclusion of one of the most mysterious anime in history arrives in the way it was envisioned: as a feature-length movie. Attack on Titan: The Last Attack goes far to finish the story, then goes further than anyone could ever imagine. With no punches pulled and a chilling conclusion, The Last Attack is more relevant than ever. In most theaters for one day (February 10th) but with very select showings still available in the US.
In 2013, the world felt like an entirely different place, and the anime on everyone’s mind was based on the super popular and enigmatic manga Attack on Titan. In 2023, ten years after AoT debuted, Kodansha and Crunchyroll dropped the last two episodes on the platform. Each episode was an hour and change. The whole weeb world was shaken to its core. Only to hear from the director of the series Yuichiro Hayashi, “I originally drew the storyboards [for The Final Chapters] with the idea that it would be watched as a single movie. So, having the opportunity to have everyone watch it in the best possible environment, the theatre is a dream come true for me.” Well then, cue the theatrical release.
Theatrical Experience
Can you imagine the iconic sounds of the Attack on Titan universe booming out of a crystal-clear movie theatre sound system? The hiss of steam from ODM gear tearing through the skyline? That telltale ringing and fission of a titan arriving on the scene? Names being yelled across a battlefield that no one can realistically hear? When those sounds are coming at you so loud your chest rattles, it brings you that much further into the world of Attack on Titan. If you thought watching at home was engrossing, the theatre experience is quite a shock to the senses.
Honestly, it was weird to return to this part of the epic story now. In 2025. The symbolism met up with a little too much real-life synchronicity to ignore. Which, I gather, was always the point of AoT. At this point in the story, Eren is in his villain arc and final form (the skeletal Attack Titan), marshaling his last attack – ‘The Rumbling’. A death march of colossal titans broken free from the walls that made up Paradis Island. Eren intends to trample the world outside Paradis and take the lives of everyone who would threaten the island for generations.
Right out of the gate, the idea of a group of oppressed people in isolation choosing to strike back against their oppressors speaks to me on a few levels. But as we get into the narrative, we learn there is no righteous party here – everybody is doing dirt in the name of freedom and prophecy. The beef between Paradis and Marley has grown to include all the nations of this world, conspiring to keep the Eldians in the open-air prison of their island. As the Eldians learn more about the conspiracy, the more they support Eren’s call for revenge. Leading to a civil war on Paradis Island and a full-scale war against the world.
When A Plan Comes Together
With the final stage set, all the narrative strings are tugged on and strung together and tied up so neatly that you just know it was planned this way all along. You gotta give it up to the mangaka Hajime Isayama for setting us up for every mystery we never thought would be solved. From ‘What’s in the basement?’ to the illest reveal in media history, Isayama brought us here, all for this moment. The Last Attack as an animated feature feels right. The action elements go bananas, and the fluidity of the animation and the fight choreo is just what you’d expect from Attack on Titan’s creative team. If there’s anything AoT is good for, it’s someone going out on their own terms in a blaze of actual glory. The Last Attack does not disappoint.
Alongside the madness of the action are some of the most profound explorations of the human condition in the context of conflict I’ve ever seen. The parables on class, nationality, race, military might, monarchy, migration, lineage – all of it, hit hard. Grasping the fullness of the story forces die-hard audiences to sit with the consequences of all the fighting we’ve watched in the last ten years.
Then comes the twist, the hinge that makes the entire anime make sense from the first episode to this last one.
The Spoiler Section
*HUGE spoiler alert from here on*
That Eren’s gift forces him to see the world outside of time, the past, present, and future all happen at once for him. That he’s been in control of everything from the perspective of his future self. When Bertholdt and Reiner destroyed Wall Maria, a wild Titan that was about to eat Bertholdt needed to be redirected. Future Eren sent that Titan to eat his own mother to ensure the Colossal Titan survived. Eren used his Founding powers to seed his confessions into all of his friends’ minds and made it so that they wouldn’t remember those conversations until he’d been killed. With his death, he used the Founding power to remove the Titan powers from every Eldian alive. The Titans are no more.
Wounds heal and time passes, but series creator Isayama and director Hayashi aren’t done with us yet. The epilogue is a two-parter. As forced peace reigns over the world, tensions on Paradis grow as Jaegerists grow an aggressive and paranoid military, afraid the world will finish what it started in finishing off the Eldian population. The rest of the world is still reeling from The Rumbling, which wiped eighty percent of humanity off the face of the Earth. Revenge is brewing slowly in those recovering nations.
As the credits roll, there is still a story being told. Mikasa buries Eren at the tree they would race to as children. We watch a timelapse with the same canopy-level view of that tree. Years pass in seconds and Mikasa is buried beneath that same tree as an elder. Generations pass and the small steampunk tech town builds out into an electric metropolis. Lights shine and skyscrapers grow into the strata. Then, the fighter planes, helicopters, and explosions dot the city. Now the city is fully lit by smoldering fires until it simmers into an ashen husk of civilization. All this time, that tree is growing and reaching and twisting higher. A young, black-haired boy and his dog explore the dystopian ruins of a long-passed society and come upon the tree. The height of a building with a hole at the roots, the exact shape of the tree that granted Ymir her Founding Titan powers roughly two thousand years before. The boy disappears into the tree.
You are left with a feeling. The feeling that the cycle will begin again, and that humanity is doomed to repeat its tragic history.
The Last Attack is an anime epic that has been more than ten years in the making, and it shows. If you haven’t seen it, now is a great time.
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